2. speakers
  3. 1090441195

Wiring a Center Channel

I recall reading of a method of wiring up a center channel in phase with the mains, when using a two channel setup and dual mono amps. I think it went somethin like this:

Connect the two mains conventionally to the appropriate 8ohm tap (assuming appropriate) and the ground on each of the two mono amps. Run a low resistance conection from one ground to the other on the two amps. Wire the center channel off the two (hot) 4ohm taps, one off each of the two amps.

What confuses me is the center channel having two hot wires running into it with no ground. Have I read the diagram wrong, or does this all make sense to someone who knows better than me? And why bridge the ground on the mains?

Can anyone clear this up for me?

Marco
jax2

Showing 1 response by eldartford

eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Yes, you will get a difference signal, and if you have inverted one stereo channel signal, this difference signal is indeed the common mode component of the stereo signals and is what you want to drive the center speaker. Of course, you must connect the speaker of the stereo channel that is inverted backwards so that its audio output is properly phased.

I used this kind of center channel drive for many years, with the signal inversion being done by hooking up one channel of the phono pickup backwards. This is far and away the best way to derive a center channel from a two-channel amp.
More to discover